Flagpole painting device



March 12, 196s K. R. DICK/AU Em. 3,372,674

FLAGPOLE PAINTING DEVI CE Fi-led Aug.` l5, 1966 3 Sheebs-Shet l INVENToRs Jag March 12, 1968 K. R. DICKAU r-:TAL 3,372,674

FLAGPOLE PAINTING DEVICE Filed Aug. l5, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 12, 1968 K. R. DlcKAU ETAL 3,372,674

FLAGPOLE PAINTING DEVI CE Filed Aug. l5, 1966 l 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent Oiiiice 3,372,674 Patented Mar. 12, 1968 3,372,674 FLAGPOLE PAINTING DEVICE Keith R. Dickau, 1430 Emory Drive, Whittier, Calif. 90605, and Robert W. Miner, 1430 Hathaway Ave., Long Beach, Calif. 90800 Filed Aug. 15, 1966, Ser. No. 572,499 14 Claims. (Cl. 118-307) This invention relates to an improved surface finishing device and more particularly -to an improved painting device which may be mounted on a vertical tlagpole, or the like, and moved relative thereto for effecting painting thereof in a simple manner.

Typically, it is necessary for a painter to climb to the top of a llagpole and progressively work down from the top while painting the pole. A grea-t degree of skill is required inasmuch as climbing and descent involve danger to the painter and, consequently, the labor costs involved in painting a agpole generally are high. As an alternative to this method of painting a agpole, various mechanical devices have been proposed. An apparatus of this nature generally includes paint sprayers of the compressor or vibrator type, and is attached to the halyard of the agpole to hoist the apparatus to the top thereof. Paint sprayers then are turned on and paint the l'lagpole as the apparatus is lowered down the pole. Prior devices of this nature generally have been relatively complex in construction and operation, and have required the use of compressor or vibrator type paint sprayers which are both cumbersome and costly.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for linishing the surface of flagpoles and the like.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an improved painting device which utilizes a plurality of disposable aerosol pant cans which are capable of being remotely operated in unison.

A further object of this invention is to provide a painting device for poles, and the like, including an improved roller and mounting assembly upon which the device engages and rides on the pole.

These and other objects of the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description taken lin conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE l is an elevational view illustrating a device `according to the invention mounted on a agpole;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device taken along a line 2-2 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device taken along a line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device taken along a line 44 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG- URE 2, but indicating carrier rollers of the device in an open position;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional View similar to FIG- URE 4, but illustrating the relationship of the various components when the rollers are in an open position;

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG- URE 3, but showing the rollers in an open position;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating a pair of rollers;

FIGURE 9 is an exterior view of the device illustrating the arrangement of aerosol paint cans thereon;

FIGURE l0 is a plan view as viewed along a line 10- 10 of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along a line 11-11 of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE l2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along a line 12--12 of FIGURE l0;

FIGURE 13 is a view similar to FIGURE 12 but illustrating the nozzle of an aerosol can moved to an operative position; and

FIGURE 14 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along a line 14-14 of FIGURE l2.

Briefly, in accordance with the concepts of the present invention, a painting device or apparatus for painting elongated members, such as tlagpoles and the like, includes a supporting bracket assembly carrying a plurality of spring biased rollers for engaging and riding up and down on the member. Pairs of rollers mounted at angles are actuated by a common lever to cause the rollers to engage the periphery of the member, and a spring loading arrangement of the rollers allows them to maintain contact with the member over various sections thereof of different diameters, and over the joints between the sections. A 4carrier, which may be cylindrical, has attached to the interior thereof the supporting bracket assembly. A plurality of disposable aerosol paint cans are removably attached around the periphery of the carrier and aimed inwardly toward the member. The carrier is split such that it may be opened for lateral application to the member. The nozzles of the paint cans are operated in unison by a cam and ratchet assembly. A conventional agpole halyard may be used both for raising and lowering the carrier and for operating the actuators for the paint cans while painting a liagpole. The cans cooperate to spray in a circle as the carrier is lowered down the pole.

Referring now to the drawings, a painting device 10 according to the invention is mounted coaxially over a flagpole 11. The device 10 generally inclu-des a carrier 12 on which are mounted a plurality of conventional aerosol paint cans 13. The cans are operated in unison through an actuator 14 by a length 15 of the flagpole halyard 16 as will be discussed in greater detail subsequently. The agpole 11 includes, for example, two sections 17 and 18 of different diameters but may include more sections.

Briefly, the device 10 is coupled over the lower section 17 of the iiagpole 11, the halyard 16 is attached at 18 to a suporting bracket assembly within the carrier 12, the length 1S of the halyard 16 is attached to the actuator 14, and the device is raised to the top of the pole 11 by pulling a length 19 of the halyard 16. The length 15 of the halyard 16 then may be pulled to actuate the paint cans as the device is lowered under the force of ygravity while restraining its downward speed through the length 19 of the halyard 16.

The carrier 12v is cylindrical and may be formed of sheet metal. It is split and bolted together at 24 as shown in FIGURE 3, thereby allowing the carrier to be opened as indicated by phantom lines 25 and 26 in FIGURE 7 for the lateral application of the carrier to the flagpole. A supporting bracket assembly 28 is mounted inside the carrier and attached `thereto by suitable screw fasteners as shown in FIGURE 2.

The assembly 28 includes a sheet metal plate 29 having flanges 30 and 31 through which the screw fasteners extend for attaching the plate to the interior of the carrier 12. A pair of rods 33 and 34 mounted in the form of a cross and pvoted at the center thereof carry rollers or wheels at the ends thereof for engaging the periphery of the ilagpole 11 to properly guide the paintaing device 10 up and down the pole. Four wheel assemblies 36 through 39 are mounted on the ends of the rods 33 and 34, and inasmuch as these wheel assemblies are alike, only one will be described in detail.

The wheel assemblies 36 through 39 are mounted on the ends of the rods, the ends being bent ninety degrees for attachment to the wheel assemblies. For example, the rod 34'is bent at 42 thereby forming an axle 43 which extends through a hole in a tab 44 aixed to a wheel bracket 45 as best seen in FIGURES 3 and 8. A protuberance 46 on the axle 43 and a clip 47 retain the bracket 45 on the axle 43 to allow the bracket 45 to pivot on the axle. Four wheels 48 through 51 are mounted for rotation on the bracket 45. Each of the wheels has a tapered or conical bore, such as the bore 52 through which the wheel axle 53 for the wheel 48 extends. The wheels are inclined and essentially lie in a radial plane with respect to the agpole and are self-centering because of the tapered bores therein and the inclination of the wheels. This arrangement allows the wheels to properly ride on the periphery of various size poles or on different diameter sections thereof, the tapered bores ensuring that each wheel travels to the outside edge of the ilagpole plane whether moving up or down. The wheel assembly may pivot about the axle 43 of the rod 34 to allow the wheels to easily move from one portion or section to another of the flagpole which have different diameters.

The rods 33 and 34 are retained by respective bracket plates 54 and 55 which are pivotally mounted on an end 56 of a handle 57. The end 56 of the handle 57 extends through the plate 29, a bushing 58 and the bracket plates 54 and 55, the latter being retained by a nut 59. The bracket plates 54 and 55 may rotate relative t0 each other and relative to the end 56 of the handle 57. The handle 7 is aixed to a spring plate 60 by a member 61. Rotation of the handle 57 rotates the plate 60 which, as will be seen subsequently, causes springs 62 and 63 to bias the roller assemblies toward the periphery of the pole.

Fingers 66 and 67 are atlixed to the rod 33 as best seen in FIGURE 4, and extend through respective slots 68 and 69 in the plate 29. Similarly7 fingers 70 and 71 are aflxed to the rod 34 and extend through respective slots 72 and 73 in the plate 29. Cables 75 and 76 are attached to the upper end of the spring 62 and extend over respective pulleys 77 and 78 and are affixed to the lingers 66 and 70, respectively. The lower end of the spring 62 is attached to a tab 79 on the spring plate 60. With the spring plate 60 in `the position shown in FIG- URE 4, it will be apparent that the spring 62 serves to bias the upper roller assemblies 36 and 38 toward the periphery of the agpole 11. In a similar manner, the spring 63 is coupled between a tab 80 on the plate 60 and cables 81 and 82 which in turn are ailixed to the respective fingers 71 and 67 to provide an additional spring bias on the wheel assemblies 37 and 39. The cables 75 and 76, or separate cables if desired, further extend over respective rollers 84 and 85 and are secured to the plate 60 and 86 and 87. Thus, rotation of the plate 60 by the handles 57 to the position shown in FIGURE 6 causes the wheel assemblies 36 through 39 to move to a fully open position as shown in FIGURES 5 through 7.

In installing the painting device on the agpole 11, the carrier 12 is opened as indicated by phantom lines and 26 in FIGURE 7, positioned on the pole, and closed and bolted together. The handle 57 is in the position shown in FIGURE 7, and the wheel assemblies 36 through 39 are in their fully open position as indicated in FIGURES 5 through 7. A hook 90 of the halyard 16 is coupled with an aperture 91 in the plate 29. The handle 57 is moved to the position shown in FIGURE 3 and held by a clip 92 aixed to the carrier 12. This positions the wheel assemblies 36 through 39 as shown in FIG- URES 2 through 4, and causes the springs 62 and 63 to bias these wheel assemblies against the periphery of the flagpole 11. A second hook 94 as seen in FIGURE 1 on'the halyard 16 is attached to an actuator arm 95 of the spray can actutor 14. The pinting device now may be raised to the top of the flagpole 11, followed by actuation of the aerosol paint cans as now will be described. Briey, by pulling the length 15 of the halyard 16, the actuator-14 may be operated to cause the cans 13 to spray 4 in unison as the painting device 10 is lowered down the liagpole 11.

A plurality of paint can brackets through 105 are secured to the upper periphery of the carrier 12 as shown in FIGURES 9 and 10. Inasmuch as all of the brackets 100 through 105 are constructed alike, only the bracket 100 and its associated components and aerosol paint can 13 will be described in detail. The bracket 100 has an outturned end 107 having a slot 108 therein for rece 1v= ing the spray nozzle 169 of the can 13, the nozzle being slotted at 1tl9a for postive alignment with the center of the pole as best seen in FIGURES l2 and 14. A cllp 110 is aixed to the bracket 100 for supporting and retaining the cam 13. A channel member 112 is affixed to the end 107 of the bracket 100 by means of a fastener 113. A steel cable 114 extends through holes in each side of the channel member 112, and a cam member 115 is affixed to the cable between the sides of the Channel member 112. Rotation of the cable 114 rotates the cam member 115 thereby causing one of the lobes thereof to depress the top 116 of the spray nozzle 109 as shown in FIGURE 13 thereby causing the paint can to Spray paint. The upper end 118 of the carrier 12 is split 1n front of each of the brackets 100 through 105 thereby forming deector tabs in front of the various spray nozzles. For example, deilector tabs 119 and 120 are provided in front of the can 13 mounted on the bracket 100.

The steel cable 114 is similarly attached to cams associated with each of the spray cans 13 as shown in FIGURES 9 and l0. A ratchet wheel 122 is secured to the cable 114 within a housing 123 of the actuator assembly 14. The housing 123 is secured by fasteners to the upper end of the carrier 12 as shown in FIGURES 9 through ll. A pawl member 124 is mounted for rotation on the same axis as the cable 114 and is connected through a coupling rod 125y to the actuator arm 95. The rod 125 and pawl 124 are normally biased to the position shown in FIGURE l1 by a spring 126. A spring stop 127 is secured to the housing 123 for engaging the periphery of the ratchet wheel 122. It will be apparent that when the actuator arm 95 is moved downwardly the pawl 124 rotates the ratchet wheel 122 a step clockwise as viewed in FIGURE ll. Rotation of the wheel 122 thereby causes the steel cable 114 to rotate which in turn rotates the cams associated with the spray nozzles of the various paint cans 13.

After the device is raised to the top of the agpole, the length 15 of the halyard 16 is pulled to operate the actuator arm 95 of the actuator 14. This causes the spray nozzles of all of the paint cans 13 to be depressed simultaneously and the spray cans spray the periphery of the pole. The device is lowered down the pole as the cans spray thereby painting the pole. The length 15 of halyard may be pulled whenever desired to cause the cans to cease spraying. After the pole is painted, the device is removed therefrom in the same manner as it was applied to the pole.

The present embodiment of the invention is to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims therefore are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

1. A painting device for painting an elongated member such as a llagpole or the like comprising carrier means for encircling said elongated member and for supporting a plurality of paint sprayers, supporting bracket means mounted within said carrier means for maintaining alignment of said painting device about the periphery of said elongated member, said assembly including plate means affixed to said carrier means and a plurality of rod members having wheel means mounted on said rod members for engaging the periphery of said elongated member, said rod members being arranged substantially in the form of a cross and pivoted substantially at the center thereof on said plate means, biasing means coupled between said plate means and said rod means for selectively biasing said wheel means toward the periphery of said elongated member, and

handle means coupled with said biasing means for selectively operating said biasing means.

2. A device as in claim. 1 wherein said rod members comprise a pair of rods and said wheel means comprise a plurality of wheel assemblies pivotally mounted on the ends of said rods, each of said wheel assemblies includes a bracket having a plurality of wheels mounted thereon with said wheels being inclined with respect to each other with the apex of the angle dened by the inclination of of said Wheels extending toward the center of said device.

3. A device as in claim 2 wherein said biasing means includes rotatable means coupled with said handle means, said rotatable means being coupled with said rods for selectively moving said wheel assemblies to an open position, and spring means coupled between said rotatable means and said rods for biasing said wheel assemblies toward the periphery of said elongated member.

4. A device as in claim 1 wherein said paint sprayers comprise a plurality of disposable aerosol paint cans having spray nozzles, and bracket means are attached to the periphery of said carrier means for -receiving said paint cans,

actuator means are mounted on said carrier means and include a ratchet assembly for rotating a cable means,

each of said bracket means includes cam means for operating the spray nozzle of said aerosol cans, and

said cable means is coupled with said cam means for selectively causing said spray cans to spray paint upon operation of said ratchet means.

S. A device as in claim 4 wherein said rod members comprise a pair of rods and said wheel means comprise a plurality of wheel assemblies pivotally mounted on the ends of said rods, each of said wheel assemblies includes a bracket having a plurality of wheels mounted thereon with said wheels being inclined with respect to each other with the apex of the angle defined by the inclination of said wheels extending toward the center of said device, and

said biasing means including rotatable means coupled with said handle means, said rotatable means being coupled with said rods for selectively moving said wheel assemblies to an open position, and spring means Coupled between said rotatable means and said rods for biasing said wheel assemblies toward the periphery of said elongated member.

6. A painting device for painting an elongated member such as `a iiagpole or the like comprising carrier means for encircling said elongated member land for supporting a plurality of aerosol spray cans,

supporting bracket and roller means mounted within said carrier means for guiding said device along s-aid elongated member,

a plurality of lbracket means aixed to the periphery of said carrier means for receiving said spray cans, each of said bracket means includes cam means adapted to operate the spray nozzle of an aerosol can,

actuator means mounted on said carrier means, said actuator means including a ratchet assembly coupled with cable means for rotating said cable means, and

said cable means being coupled with said cam means for selectively rotating said cam means in response to operation of said actuator means.

7. A device as in clam 6 wherein said bracket means are substantially equally spaced about the periphery of said carrier means near one end thereof,

said actuator means includes arm means which may be remotely operated for causing rotation of said cable means, and

said cable means extends about the periphery of said carrier means and axially through each of said cam means.

8. A device as in claim 7 wherein said carrier means is substantially cylindrical and includes a plurality of tab means substantially adjacent said cam means for serving as paint detlectors, and

said supporting bracket and roller means being mounted longitudinally within said carrier means on one side thereof, and

the opposite side of said carrier means being selectively openable for allowing application of said device to said elongated member.

9. A device as in cla-im 7 wherein said bracket means are slotted for aligning the nozzles of said spray cans with respect tot the center of said carrier means.

10. A device as in claim 8 wherein said supporting bracket and roller means includes plate means aliixed to said carrier means and a plurality of rod members having wheel means mounted on said rod members for engaging the periphery of said elongated member, said rod members being arranged substantially in the form of a cross and pivoted substantially at the center thereof on said plate means, and biasing means coupled between said plate means and said rod means for selectively biasing said Wheel means toward the periphery of said elongated member, said plate means having an opening therein being adapted to be coupled with the halyard of a agpole for raising and lowering said device thereon.

11. A device for mounting on an enlongated member,

such as a flagpole or the like, and which may be moved relative thereto for finishing or refinishing the surface of said member comprising carrier means for encircling said elongated member, said carrier means being selectively openable for allowing application of said device to said elongated member,

supporting braket means mounted within said carrier for maintaining alignment of said device about the periphery of said elongated member, said assembly including plate means aixed to said carrier means and a plurality of rod members having wheel means mounted on said rod members for engaging the periphery of said elongated member, said rod members being arranged substantially in the form of a cross and pivoted substantially at the center thereof on said plate means, biasing means coupled between said plate means and said rod means for selectively biasing said wheel means toward the periphery of said elongated member, and

handle means coupled with said biasing means for selectively operating said biasing means.

12. A device as in claim 11 wherein said rod members comprise a pair of rods and said wheel means comprise a plurality of wheel assemblies pivotally mounted on the ends of said rods, each of said wheel assemblies includes a bracket hav-ing a plurality of wheels mounted thereon with `said Wheels being inclined with respect to each other with the apex of the angle defined by the inclination of said wheels extending toward the center of said device.

13. A device as in claim 12 wherein said biasing means includes rotatable means coupled with said handle means, said rotatable means being coupled with said rods for selectively moving said Wheel assemblies to an open position, and spring sai-d wheels have tapered bores therethrough and axles 7 8 means coupled between said rotatable means and References Cited said rods for biasing said Wheel assemblies toward UNITED STATES PATENTS the periphery of said elongated member. 14. A-devi as n claim 12 wherein. 2,858,555 11/1958 Medovlck 118-307 X 5 T `are mounted on said brackets and extend through CFARLES A' WILLMUTH Pnmwy Examiner' said tapered bores. I. P. MCINTOSH, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A PAINTING DEVICE FOR PAINTING AN ELONGATED MEMBER SUCH AS A FLAGPOLE OR THE LIKE COMPRISING CARRIER MEANS FOR ENCIRCLING SAID ELONGATED MEMBER AND FOR SUPPORTING A PLURALITY OF PAINT SPRAYERS, SUPPORTING BRACKET MEANS MOUNTED WITHIN SAID CARRIER MEANS FOR MAINTAINING ALIGNMENT OF SAID PAINTING DEVICE ABOUT THE PERIPHERY OF SAID ELONGATED MEMBER, SAID ASSEMBLY INCLUDING PLATE MEANS AFFIXED TO SAID CARRIER MEANS AND A PLURALITY OF ROD MEMBERS HAVING WHEEL MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID ROD MEMBERS FOR ENGAGING THE PERIPHERY OF SAID ELONGATED MEMBER, SAID ROD MEMBERS BEING ARRANGED SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE FORM OF A CROSS AND PIVOTED SUBSTANTIALLY AT THE CENTER THEREOF ON SAID PLATE MEANS, BIASING MEANS COUPLED BETWEEN SAID PLATE MEANS AND SAID ROD MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY BIASING SAID WHEEL MEANS TOWARD THE PERIPHERY OF SAID ELONGATED MEMBER, AND HANDLE MEANS COUPLED WITH SAID BIASING MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY OPERATING SAID BIASING MEANS. 